EVEN WITH ALL the controversy surrounding FIFA this past week, EA still managed to announce the latest edition of their soccer game this morning – titled FIFA 16.

And, for the first time ever, women’s teams are included:

teams Twitter Twitter

The news has been hailed by many as a step forward. That such a popular sports game is featuring female athletes is a sign of progress

Brilliant news on womens international teams featuring on Fifa 16. Another step forward 👌
— Jak (@JOLD03) May 28, 2015

Jak / Twitter

FIFA 16 = progress in equality
— Peyman 🤷🏽‍♂️ (@SpookyHouseboat) May 28, 2015

ヤま丫小タカ / Twitter

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fifa1 Twitter Twitter

But some weren’t very happy at all that there will be female teams

Women are in FIFA 16. What a stupid idea
— Max Broughton (@MB52NCFC) May 28, 2015

Max Broughton™ / Twitter

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fifa2 Twitter Twitter

And the jokes were quick to come

They're putting women in the next FIFA? Imagine that, playing career mode n one of your players are out for 2 days with a broken nail
— J’Wray (@JxstJxrds) May 28, 2015

. / Twitter

FIFA 16 career mode- 'Your star striker will be out for 9 months due to pregnancy'
— BiblicalShart (@BiblicalShart) May 28, 2015

BiblicalShart / Twitter

fifa3 Twitter Twitter

There was quite a bit of negative backlash to the announcement

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Along with some general misinformation

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But the sexism has provoked a defence of the game and EA’s decision to put women in for the first time

FIFA 16 - the game where lads can't grasp the concept that female football is growing & getting the recognition it deserves.
— Champers. ✨ (@AFCCharx) May 28, 2015

#WeAreArsenal / Twitter

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And this final, salient point about choice summed it all up

If you don't want to play as a women's team on FIFA 16, then just don't play with one instead of making stupid sexist comments
— Chris (@LondonGoona) May 28, 2015

Play Theo Walcott / Twitter

You got it right there.

Written by David Elkin and originally published on DailyEdge.ie

DE Syndication

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FIFA 16 will include women players for the first time, and some people are less than happy about it

The news has been hailed by many as a step forward. That such a popular sports game is featuring female athletes is a sign of progress

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

But some weren’t very happy at all that there will be female teams

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

And the jokes were quick to come

There was quite a bit of negative backlash to the announcement

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Along with some general misinformation

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

But the sexism has provoked a defence of the game and EA’s decision to put women in for the first time

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

And this final, salient point about choice summed it all up

Read: 14 things you’ve said, done or heard if you’ve ever been to Slane

Read: Somebody in Tralee tried to sell phone credit on Facebook but failed so hard

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.